Automatic printing-press.



Ii. o. CAIITWIIIGJIIT. AUTOMATIC PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED FE B. 10. 191'3.

i Pa'tented'July 20, 19115.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. 0. CARTWRIGHT.

AUTOMATIC PRINTING PITEss.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. l0. |913. 1,146,920`

uw T E E H. 4 s .I E F. H S 0 E 0. anzu/ragni,

Patented uly 20,' 1915.

I0 SHEETS-SHEET Y E. o. @Amm/RIGHT. AUTOMATIC PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.10. 1913. LMQQQO,

MSN

uw Q Nm.

E. 0. CARTWRIGHT.

AUTOMATIC PHINTING'PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10. 1913.

y 1,146,920. n n Patented July 20, 1915.

I0 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

E. 0. CARTWRIGHT.

AUTOMATIC PmNnNG PRESS.

APPLICATION ,FILED FEB.10. 1913. I

Patented July 20, 1915.

1o SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Eiq.

E. 0. CARTWHIGI'IT. AUTOMATIC PRINTING PRESS. APPLlcAmN vHUED ri. 10. 191s.

PatentedlJ 111)' 2011915 l o. CARTWRIGHT, AUTOMATIC PRINTING PRESS. I

Patented July 20, 1915.

I0 SHEETS-SHEET 9.`

I Y APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10. 1913. ,1,146,920,V

E. 0. CARTWRIGHT. AUTOMATIC PmNnNG'PREss. APPLI'CATIQN FILED EEB. 1.0.1913. y Patented July 20, 1,915.

- 10 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

Lmezo,

`" it. I.

ERNEST O. CARTWRIGHT, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR F ONE-THIRD T0 LOUIS KL FISHER, OF DAYTON, OHIO, AND ONE-THIRD TO BYRON D. CAMPBELL, OF WEST iviiLToiv, oHIo.

AUTOMATIC PRINTING-Preuss.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Juli 20, 1915.

v Application led February 10, 1913. Serial No. 747,375.

T0 all whom it may concern i Be it known that I, ERNEST O; CART- wRicHT, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invent- 'ed certain new and-useful Improvements in Automatic Printing-Presses, of which the following is a specification. i

This-invention, which relates to the class of automatic printing mechanisms in which signed, whereby for thezautomatic feeding and automatic de- A this applicatiom is included a cylinder and a coperating bed and automatic sheet feeding and delivery mechanisms, has for its object to provide an improved printing press of the general character stated, jin which the several coacting mechanisms that produce a completely or-y ganized automatic printing press are so dethe construction of such type of presses is simplified and cheapened, and a construction is provided including parts coperatively so connected that-@he same iscapable of being operated ata great speed without excessive vibration and without the use of spiin s, cushions, or other shock absorbers, `and in which. the printing mechanism proper is particularly adaptable livery mechanisms combined therewith.

1While my present invention, in its complete form, includes improved paper feeding and improved automatic delivery mechanisms especially designed -for cooperating with an improved cylinder and bed printing mechanism, and while for a proper disclosure ofthe construction, operation and advantages -of my improved cylinder and bed part of this application, I have shown in so far as is necessary, to properly bring out the cylinder and bed printing mechanism, the said sheet feeding vand delivery mechanisms, I make no specific claims in this application for the said feedingand delivery mechanisms since they form the subject-matter of copending applications numbered 747,377 and 747,37 8 filed on even date with this application.

One of the objects of' my present invention is to provide a simple and effective means for suspending the printing operation,'whereby to afford a practical and convenient adaptation therefor for their use in connection with the employment of automatic devices controlled by a mechanical feeder.

Another object of this invention is to pro-` vide certain improved mechanisms in a printing press of the character .stated whereby to secure a )better register or i timing7 between the surfaces, respectively of the printing cylinder and the form on the bed of the printing machine; to materially lessen the chance of friction'al wear on the form to .be printed from, and to enhance the quality of the product of rapidly operated printing machines..

`With other objects in view, all of which will hereinafter appear, my present'invention embodies the features of construction 11 and 12 are diagrammatic views of the cylinder .and form bed devices of my improved printing mechanism which form the basicfeatures of my present application, parts thereof being in section. Fig. 13 is a detail diagrammatic side'elevation of so much of the cylinder lifting devicesas is necessary to illustrate the means for suspending the printing. Fig. 14 is a cross section of my improved printing press taken substantially on the lines 1li-14 on Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 15 is a similar the line indicated by the arrow. Fig'. 16 is an enlarged detail section of the clutch sliown in Fig. 14, by which the sheet feeding is suspended simultaneously with the suspensionof vthe printing operation. Fig. 17 is a detail perspective view of the mecha. vnism that actuates the paper grippers for the impression cylinder. Fig. 18 is a detail pei'spectiveview -of a portion of the yoke that raises and lowers the impression cylinder. Fig. 19 is a detail perspective view that shows one end of the main supporting shaft, andone of' the eccentrics hereinafter referred to. Fig.20'is a detail view .of a portion of the sheet forwarding .mechanism -view taken on the line 15)*15 onl Fig. 1', on

hereinafter explained. Fig. 21 is a side ele- 110 vation of that end of the machine on which -is located the sheet pile elevatorv actuating mechanism. Figs. 22 and 23 are detail perspective views .offthe leccentric and pawl members that form a part ofthe said pile elevator ,actuatingmechanism Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic illustration of portions of the said pile elevating mechanism hereinafter explained. Fig. 25 yis a partial plan view showing the sheet separating. rolls clutch mechanism. Fig. 26 is a detail perspective the' purposes hereinafter specifically'ex-v view of one of the initiators hereinafter fully described. Fig. 27 is a side elevation of the mechanism comprising a part of the sheet separating devices. Fig. 28 is a detail perspective of the lower separating rolls clutch sleeve. Fig. 29 is a plan view, parts being omitted of the adjustable paper supporting fingers. Fig. 30 is a diagrammatic view that illustrates the paper feed action of the separating rolls. Fig. 31 is a detail sectional perspective view of the rearconveyer roll pivot. Fig. 32 is a detail sectional view of the overthrow clutch hereinafter described. Fig.33 is a plan view of that end. of the conveyer nearest the impression cylinder, partsbeiug omitted. Fig. 34 is a section on the line 34--34 on Fig. 1, .and particularlyshowing the form bed cam for actuating the arm 149. Fig. 3,5 is a detail plan view, board hinge.

The general arrangement of my .improved printingpress is such that the printing I mechanism proper is located midway of the supporting framing in the manner and for plained, with the sheet feeding means mounted on one end and the sheet delivery mechanism upon the other end of the said framing, and it should be stated that in my complete press, best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2,

3 and 4, of the drawings, the several mechanisms are interdependently connected and operated from a main driving shaft and the intermediate or power transmitting mechanisms include certain timingdevices where- I f by to feed up the sheet for being engaged allow a portion of its length to be beyond a.

point approximately in the middle of the partly in section, of the deliveryI length of the machine when the form bed is at the limit of its travel in either direction, the said length of the form bed being cient to carry a rack along its fulllength,

' vwhose dimension is equal to-one and one-half times the circumference, of the cylinder.

Referring now vto the details of construction, 1-1 designate a pair of round guide rods thatextend the full length of the supporting frame and they are securely anchored onto the ends2-l2 ofthe said frame. 3 designates a bed mounted on the said rods that carries the printingchase or type form,

. and it, at one extreme end, the left, as shown,

carries across or slide member 4, that is secured on the underslde of the said form bed, and the said member has a socket 5 for receiving av crank pin 6 on a horizontally disposed crank wheel 7 located immediately l below the said bed 3. Crank wheel 7 is suitably mounted on a fixed vstud 8 on the supporting frame section-4 9, coe'Xtensive with the width of' the framingl of the machine and bolted to the said framingl in such position that it affords clearance for kthe drivingk and other shafts located belowthe same.I

' 10 designates the main driving shaft from which motion is transmitted to all of the movable parts of my complete printing' ma-. chine and a bevelpinion 11 on the Vshaft 10 meshes with and .imparts motion to the crank wheel 7 the latter having, a bevel gear ,rim 12 that receives the pinion 11. A

kAt this point, itshould be stated, that conventional construction in printingpresses having reciprocating beds drives the bed by some mechanism tha'tmoves the bed at a uniform speed to within a short distance of the reversing point at either end.` ofits stroke, then slows it down some, and after the reverse, propels the said bed with uniform velocity to the other end of the stroke, so as to make it possible to time its movement with that of a uniformly driven cylinlder for at least a portion ofits' travel. Bed movements of the character stated, so far as I know, all require shock absorbersy of some sort. i y

The crank-wheel 7 is held t'o its proper operative position on the stud pinby the gibs 13 on the wheel support 9, that lap over the said wheel and to further hold'the wheel in a truehorizontal position and from wabbling I employ` -adjus'ting'screws 14 that are bmounted on the support 9 and engage the wheel in a manner clearly shown in Fig.

2. For maintaining a desired lubrication of the crank wheel the said crank wheel 7 has an' oil inlet '15 for 'leading the lubricant to,

the crank pin socket 16. Y

In my construction of the printing mechanism, which forms' the essential feature of coperation of my. cylinder devices and the form bed is such, that I have eliminated the necessity of 'an independent drive for the cylinder, as is usually required in cylinder `and movable bed presses andfurther the necessity of springs or other aids to the reversal of the travel of the formbed is avoided, and all intermediate gea-ring or other devices to maintain the proper timing'between f the surfaces of the printing cylinder and the. form bed, as Well as other complicated and expensive parts essential in the usual construction of cylinder printing presses, are eliminated. v

To moreclear'ly present the correlative arrangement of the impression cylinder, the bed with the printing form, and thecrank mechanism that imparts the desired reciprocable movement to the bed and the correthe cylinder is set at the position of takingVL a sheet (see Fig. approximately one-half of a forward revolution of the cylinder `(which is. effected by approximately` onethird of the forward throw of the actuating rack bar) brings the front edge of the sheet held on. thel front edge of the tympan in,

proper'relation to theV printing form on the rbed (see Fig. .7); another one half revolution of the cylinder, presents the entire tym- .panfsurface of the said cylinder to the form,

40 constituting the printing. operation and brings the cylinder to the position shown on Fig. 8; the third or final half revolution of the cylinder forward, then follows and during such revolution the front edge of the printed sheet is projected within the range ofthe forwarding rolls, hereinafter referred to, so that the sheet may be taken care of by the olftake or delivery means hereinafter also'explained;,the cylinder now being in the position shown in Fig. 9.,

By reason of the horizontal cra-nk drive foractuating the bed, it follows that as the crank reaches the limits or diametrically" bpposite dead centers of its rotation, the motion of the bed is materially vslowed down at the extremepoints of its movement in.

opposite directions, by virtue of which eX- cessive vibration of the movable parts is positively overcome without the use of shock absorbers and at the same time presents a construction of printing mechanism especially well adapted for use in connection with my ""special form of automatic sheet feeding devices, since the timing of the printing, thel feeding and .the delivering mechanisms, synchronously operated from a common drive, can be accurately and practically determined. i

Formy form of printing means I prefer to use the gripping devices shown, for taking on and throwing off the 4sheet. These grippers, designated 20, may be the conventionalrockersort now commonly used, and

they at predetermined Atimes are thrown into andout of gripping positions.

By reason of the slow movement of the bed at`the beginningof the movement of thebed forwardly,.ample time' is allowed for a positivev setting -of the` grippers to their gripping position, the throw of the said grippers to take on the sheet occurring While the cylinder is passing from `position shown in Fig-5 to that shown in Fig. 6.

The grippers 20 and the means for actuating them` I haveillustrated in aI general way, it 'being understood the grippers are roclably mounted and at times are oscillatedto `move into a gripping engagement see Figs.l 6 and 7 and at other times swung' back as is shown in Fig. 5 for evample.

lThe gripper shaft vhas a crank extension, see Fig. 1 4, to engage, at times, with a pair of alternately movable plunger pins 21-21 actuated by pushers, each projected from a Yrock shaft that has a crank 23, as' is clearly shown in Fig. 17. Each crank 23 carries a pendent rod 24, the lower ends of whichpivotally connect with an oscillatory lever .Ztliat is engaged by-.the cams S26-V26 driven froma movable part ofthe machine, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1.l

In order that the tympan on the cylinder be prevented from contacting with the printing form duringthe reverse movementv of the latter, the cylinder is lifted a sufficient distance, while the forni moves in its reversed direction, whereby to provide a clear# ance between the surface of thejform and the cylinder and'yet maintain the meshing of the cylinder gear withthe-form bed rack,

so that operative contact between the cylinder and the form bed Vrack be not broken". The said lifting of the cylinder will be hereinafter more fully described, ,the same be! `ing diagrammatically shown lin Fig. 10,

which shows the cylinder as Alifted, approxi# mately a distance from the root to the pitch vline of the form bed rack, the pitch diame.

the'feed board and the delivery board are provided, and they are susceptible to vertical movement at times and in a manner presentlyexplained. While the cylinder is thus held'suspended, it is moved to the positions shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the latter posi@ tion being similar tothe first or starting position indicated by .Fig 5, it being understood that after reaching the position shown in Fig.,6, the-cylinder again drops to its printing position.'

For raising the cylinder for clearance at thepoint of reversalv of the bed and to suspend the, printing operation when desiredfl 'employ a novel cam and lever mechanism,

the construction of which is best shown in Figs. 5, to 12 inclusive, by reference to which it will be noticed, the cylinder has concentric trunnions 27 journaled in housl ings 28 that form the upper end of impres sion yokes 29. vThe impression yokes 29 are slidably mounted Ainvvertical guideways 30 in the machine frame and at a point approximately in the middle of the length of the said frame. The lower end of each of the yokes'f29 has an elongated horizontal slot acting elements is not changed sufficiently to render the'eccentrics 33 susceptible'to a reverse turn bythe weight-of the cylinder on the sustaining parts,

Referring again to the lifting ofthesup'- ports of the feed and delivery boards as previously mentioned, attention is directed to the showing in Fig. 3 and the diagrams 5 to 12 inclusive. Upon shafts 137 and164 driven by gears 139 and 165 from the driver ',gear 141, are cams 166, 167, the surfaces of which are engaged by roller bearings'on the lower ends of lift rods 168, 169 which-are vertically slidable in boxes on the inside of the framing 2 of the machine. The -lift rods 168 engage the terminal of the sheet conveyer and the cam 166 which governs its vertical movement is so timed that when the cylinder 17 is about to receive a new sheet of paper as in Figs. 5 and 6, the conveyer terminal, together with its sheet supporters, drop into very close proximity with the tympan so that the grippers may readily grip the sheet as shown in Fig. 6. Having performed their functions the cams 166 continue their travel as shown in Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive, lift rods 168 and consequently the conveyer terminal and its depending parts are raised and do not come in actionA again until a new cycle of 'printing operation begins, the lifting of the conveyer terminal and its parts having a two fold object,

namely; that the sheet supporters herein.

after noted `as 109, may not interfere with the paper onr the tympan after the grippers have taken it and that the sheet supporters will not strip the tympan packing from the cylinder surface on its reversal, which objectionable feature would be presentlwere provision not made f or'its elimination. The

action of the lift rods 169 is similar to the former but the purpose of their lowering is to bring the forwarding rolls 170 in register with'the now. printed` sheet as indicated in Fig. 8, by whichV means, owingto the frictional contact, the sheet is carried within' only long enough to dispose of the printed sheet as indicatedin Figs. 8 and 9 when the parts are raised and act, no more until Aa complete cycle of operation occurs and the press parts position themselves as in Fig. 8.

The lift rod and cam mechanism are produced in duplicate (one set on each side of the machine) as shown in Fig. 14.

'At this point it shouldbe stated that the supporting roll shaft 34 is journaled in both of the side frames of the press at a point directly below the center of the cylinder shaft and in proper relation to the guide 'rods on which the form bed travels and which extend from 'end to end of the press. The guide rods are, however, only of suficient size to carry the weight of the form lbed and otherY reciprocating parts without regard to the'added burden of the impression during the operation of printing, since the cooperating partsfare so related that `the said added burden or strain is taken up by the said supporting shaft 34.

Referring now to Figs. 18, 19 of the drawings, it will be noticed the eccentric trunnions 33 serve to support the lower terminals of the impression yokes 29, the verticaloscillation of which is effected by the rotary action of the saidtrunnions 33`at predeterminedtimes, which action is y.produced 'as follows: The extreme ends of the roll shaft 34,'outside 4the eccentric trunnions y33, each have a smaller trunnion 35 concentric with the shaft and one'of these carries a crank 36, which, through the action of a cam and lever device, presently described, oscillates that actuates the crank 36, includes a rocking arm 37, one end of which carries a roller `the shaft 34 and its trunnions 33, and

' two diameters or sections that join witheach` other, the smaller one of which holds the arm 37 in the swunO` down Josition see arrow 44 on Fig. 6 and consequently holds the impression cylinder down to the impression -position duringthe required times, Whereas the larger diameter portion of the camgroove 39 holds the said arm 37 to its swung up' position, see arrow '52 in Fig. 10, and in consequence the cylinder to its elevated position, it being understood that vthe two cam sections are relatively such that the raising and lowering of the impression cylinder is properly timed with respect to the reciprocations of the lbed' oi form. The connection between the rocker arm 37 and the yoke 29 is made through. a lever 41 that is fulcrunied at'its lower end on the forwardend of the arm 37, and joins with a stud 42 that projects from the crank 3G mounted on theconcentric trunnion 35 on the rolls shaft 34, it being readily apparent. by referring to Figs. :Tand 18 of the drawing thatas the lever 41 is vertically oscillated, a limited sweep motion is imparted to the said crank 36 and hence theioller shaft is rocked and through its eccentric trunnions the yokes 29 are raised or lowered.

In automatic printingfpresses of the general type described, it is desirable that at timesthe printing operation be lsuspended and in my complete construction of press, I have provided a simple and efficient means for suspending the said printing operation and which is espe'cially'so designed that it can be easily operated by hand and at the same time affords easy adaptations of the use of my automatic devices controlled by a mechanical feeder. For such purpose, the

lever 41 is formed with a.right angled slot 43, the horizontal portionV of which, under the regular, running of the press, receives the stud 42-3on the crank 36.

IVhen it is desired to run off and suspend the printing operation, the lever 41 is swung over by hand from the position shown in Fig.`v

12 to that shown in'Fig. 13, and assuming that the crank'stud 42 is at its lowermost position and xthe-printing cylinder at its down or impression position, the first upward .im-

pulse on the lever 41 will bring the said stud 4 into the position shown in F ig. 13, in line with the vertical part of the slot 43, and

- free from being engaged by the further vertical movements of the said lever 41 luntil to its former posit-ion. d

By reason of the peculiar construction and arrangement of the parts that have special reference to the printing mechanism, per se, I eliminate the tracks lor run- 35 ways commonly used for the support of the form carrying bed in its travel and to sustain the impression during the printing operation, and I have provided in their stead a novel and .effective means for securing a rm impressional contact between the printing cylinder and the forni bed which means combine the support for the bed and the devices for raising and lowering theJi cylinder, accomplishing the desired result with a lesser number of parts than is usually required in similar printing mechanisms.

The under side of the vbed 3, .throughout its full length, has a plurality of strips 57 that serve as runners which engage the rollers 58 loose on the supporting roll shaft 34, clearly shown in Fig. 14.

In the practical arrangement of v,the cooperating parts described, the dimension between the center of the cylinder shaft and the center of the eccentric trunnion on the supporting roll shaft, is equal to the amount of the-eccentricity of the trunnion, plus the radius of the supporting rolls, plus the thickness of the bed and its runners and plus the radius Iof the cylinder. By reason of such arrangement of parts, when the center ofthe eccentric trunnion is in a vertical line below l the center of the supporting rolls shaft 34 the cylinder is 5 down, that is, in position, for printinga form upon the bed.

'IVhen the crank 36 on the concentric ytrunnion of the supporting roll shaft 34 is acted upon in the manner previously stated, the said roll shaft 34 is rotated a certain distance, but still maintains its own central position with relation to its contact with the runners of the bed while the eccentric trunnions on the vsaiid roll shaft, acting through the impression yokes, raise the cylinder the required distance for clearness with the form ontlie bed.

One of the important advantages developed inthe use of the structural elements referred to is, that there is no greater strain on the guide rods 1 on which the bed rises, during the impressional contact of the bed and the cylinder, than there is when the impression or printing operation is suspended since the added strain of printing is received by the supporting rolls shaft 34 and the shaft of the cylinder, and the said supporting rolls, at the same time, are free to io-,f

-slot is always presented to the underside of the crank pin, which insures the raising of the cylinder, while if the lever is allowed los to rest at the position where the upper surface of the sl'ot is cut away, (the vertical. part of the slot,) the lever will travel downable for cooperating with av special `con' struction of 'pile elevation and sheet feeding mechanism, which Lshall now ,proceed to describe. r 1" Since the specific features of 'thepile elevator mechanism and the sheet feeding devices form the subject-matter of my copenfding applications, filed on even date with this application, Serial Nos. 747,377 and 747 ,37 9 respectively, only so much of the said mechanism is shown in detail and will be' herein described as is necessary to bring out the interdependence of the several mechanisms and their generic coaction.

`Upon a shaft 45 suitably mounted on the feedend of the press frame is adjustably mounted an eccentric 46 heldto anyof its adjustments by a set screw, see Eig. Q3, and at a point adjacent the said shaft, and journaled into both sides of the frame and someis another shaft 47, parallel with the shaft 45. Upon shaft 47, -at the opposite inner sides of the frame are iXedly held sprocket wheels 48, of 'the smallest practical diam eter, and at a pointoutside of the frameand v near `its end, the said shaft 47 carries a of the ratchet wheel49, and this said abut 105 toothediratchet wheel 49.

50 designates a reciprocating pawl carrying arm, one end of which is revolubly mounted on the shaft 47 ,y and the other end is fitted with a connection adapted to re-` ceivepne end of an eccentric strap 51, theV pawl for engaging the ratchet 49.

At a convenient point at each side frame, AI provide a stud 60 from which is suspended a pair of guides or strips 61'of suitable material and these form guideways for trunnions-on the ends of an elevator shelf that is mounted between the guides as shown. The studs 60 also afford fastening for one end of sprocket chains 62, 'whose In this matter is the impression sus` pawl Y 54 is' operated at the moment the free ends pass over the sprockets 48 at their respective sides, with their loose ends hung from the said sprocketsunfastened.

. `The method of mounting the sprocket chains, affords the effect of gearing todiminish the amount of lift the elevator would receive from a full tooth movement on the ratchet wheel, if the chains were connected directly lto the elevator and admits. of a 'l v'15 smaller diameter inthe-ratchet wheel. to af` ford thedesired number of teeth.

*At a point somewhat 4above the vdesired v*top of the pile. of sheets, and at aconvenient distance rearwardly 'of the forward edge j of thepile, is frame 63 of light construction, 8.0

and -it is hinged upon bo'th of theside frames of the machine. One side-of the frame 63 is vpositioned so as to be conveniently operated upqn'by a forwardly extended finger of ay of the -pow`er mechanism. This timing de fvice, see Figs. 1, 21 and 24,-an d hereinafter .more specifically referred to, normally suptimes. n the constructionshown, the ont end of the hingedframe is actuated by the extended finger-59 of one of a pair of levers 64,that carries a roller bearing 65 for engaging the timing device. -On that side ofy 95 i the hinged frame .63immedia'tely above the ratchet wheel- .49, is pivotally mounted a gravity lever 66, whose lower end is bifurcated to st raddle the ratchet wheel shaft 47,

and thereby be anchored against pendulus 100 motion, and the said lever is-positioned be. tween the machine frame and the ratchet wheel 49. The gravity lever includes an arc4 shaped ,abutment67 having the radius ment extends approximately the width of the ratchet 49, it being of suitable .length to practically house or. cover the entire move' ment of the pawl 54.

timingjdevice,,actuated from a driving part j ined i 68 designates 'a calipering rod that is piv- 110 otally suspended from the hinged frame 63`.

` and-'eXtends thefull width from side to side of such' frame, it being mounted to follow the movement of the said hinged frame.

the width ef the machine in order to' be als ways in position for any ysize of sheets 'without :regard to the positionof/ the pile on the elevator..

Calipering'rod 68 is madecoextensive with 115 For correct operation of the elevator, the

eccentric '46, on the shaft45 is set to operate,

at such l time with the movement of the hinged frame 63 that the arm that carries shelf and the latter, with the sheets, is liftedby the hand crank 53 on the ratchet wheel. 130

i hinged frame 63 to suspend the gravity lever-66 at a point where the pawl 54 is just out ofengagement with the ratchet wheel while the calipering bar or rodrests upon the top 'of the pile of sheets while it is in the normal position andsupports the hinged frame 63 while it is in its down position. Upon the operation of the shaft ofthe press," the pawl 54 makes its full movement out of engagement with the teeth on the ratchet wheel and itv repeats thatperformance at'each impulse or printing operation until a sufficient number of sheets have been removed from the top of the pile bythe separating mechanism-to allowv the calipering lrod 68 to lower far lenough to permit the'gravity'l'ever 66, through-its arc portion 67- to press the pawl 54 into engagement `with the ratchet teeth 49 so that the said pawl under its next drawing impulse, pulls the ratchet wheel over one or more teeth, as

the adjustmentsmay be, to restore the position of the vtop of the pile. By moving the controlling eccentric 46, on the shaft 45 ahead or back, with reference to the timing a nis/nt.

of the hinged fr'ame. 63, a greater or less duration of the engagement of the pawl 54 with the ratchet wheel 49, may be taken advantage of, and the amount of lift of the elevator at -each impulse, be governed for different thickness of material being fed.. To lower the pile elevator,for renewal ofv the pile or other' reason, the same is readily effected by suspension of the pawls and the crank on the ratchet wheel The separating mtl sheet vfeeding 'mechanism hereinbeforel described is more especially designed and its coperative parts are so timed with respect to the main power shaft, to thereby adapt the said mechanism for use in connection with my improved sheet pile elevating means, that forms the subject-matter of my copending application-Serial No. 747 ,379, and the latter mechanism together with the printing means are so combined 'and interdependently connected, for coperating with my improved sheet separating and feeding means that forms thebasis of another one of my copending applications,` Serial No. 747,377. My improved sheet pile elevator devices and the sheet sepa-rating and feeding means are shown and described in this application to that extent necessary to make clear the operation of my complete printing mechanism with my form of sheet pile elevating, sheet As before stated, the printing mecha-- separating and sheet feed or conveying devices. y

separating means generally includes frictional surfaces or substances for contacting with the top of the sheet pile and in such an manner that the top sheet is advanced at lproper times to the feeding means that delivers it to the printing elements.

vIn my separating means I have' particuof paper and othenmaterial.

Referring now to E ig. 4 it will be noticed a u i revolving shaft 77 extends transversely over the top of the pile of sheets to be separated, and it carries a plurality of members 70, hereinafter termed initiators, since they initiate the separating of the top sheet from the pile, and deliver it to thel ma.i`ri separating members in the nature of two (or-more) sets of coacting'rolls located'in' advance of the top of the pile, and in position toreceive between them, the top sheet or sheets advanced from the pile by the initiators 70. The initiators y or members` 70 each consist of a plurality of lever-like arms 71 ixedly held on the shaft 77, but adjustable laterally and circumferentially thereon, by a set screw connection 72, as shown. .fhefarms 71 in- Y clude a spring controlled member 98 that carries a strip 73 of frictional ,materiah ,preferably rubber, andthe said member is pivotally mounted on the pendent ends of the arms 71, whereby'to provide for a yield- 1 ing movement of the member 98 under adjusted spring tension tothereby provide a resilient contact between the initiators and -thetop of the sheet pile, the strips 73 acting .to wipe off the top sheet from the pile as the initiators, at predetermined times, are swung around with the shaft 77. -Shaft 77 is journaled in a'rocker frame 74 consisting of a pair of opposite side arms that are ful-v r crumed on a shaft 75 journaled in the side frames of the separator` and into the rocker .frame 74, and acts as a supporting pivot for the said rocker` frame. Shaft 75 is driven through a gear .7 6 on .the main driving shaft -45 of the separator, meshing with a gear 78, 0n one end of the shaft 75 which shaft at the other end' carries gear members 7 9--S0,'the former of which engages a large driving gear 81 on the shaft 77 the said gear 81 having a sweep arcuate motion on the gear 79 as l the rockerframe is osoi'llated in the manner presently described.

1 oit l rolls 83 partake of the rocking motion of the rocking frame.

85 designates a shaft below and in vertical j alinement with the shaft 82 and the Vsaid shaft carries the bottomvseparating rolls 86 that coperate with the upper rolls 83 in the manner and for the purpose presently more fully outlined. Shaft 85 is journaled in the side frames 87 of the vseparating' mechanism and at one end outside of the frame, it is provided with a clutch 88 for intermittent rotation, in a determined direction. Clutch 88. on shaft 85 'includes a flanged sleeve 89 having projections 90 that serve as one member of the clutch; loosely rotating on this sleeve and lengthwise slidable thereonis a pinion 91 that meshes with the largest pitch diameter 8O ofthedouble gear on the shaft 75. Pinion 91 includes -a grooved hub with projections 92 on the face;of the hub and serves as the other member of the clutch and for coacting with the opposing projections 90.' The groove in the hub is the raceway for one arm of a controlling yoke 93 that is rockably mounted and has a forked portion for straddling the grooved hub. One prong of the yoke contacts withan angle boss 94 see Figs. 20 and 27 mounted on a cross brace rod 95 in the rocker frame 74. The yoke 93 is normally pressed outwardly torelease the clutch members, by, a spring 96.

Shaft 45 which acts as the main driving shaft of the sheet separating mechanism carries -a large gear 76 that meshes with and imparts motion to a smaller gear 78 on the shaft 75, and with a gear 97 which through a sprocket or other suitable connectionlreceives power from the printing mechanism drive. Shaft 45 on that end opposite the end having-the gear 7 6 carries a cam device that consists of an inner disk 104 and an outer disk 99, one disk 104 being formed with a yrelatively long hub and the other 99, with a shorter hub, the long hub having a set vscrew connection for adjusting it on the shaft 45 and the other a similar set screw for. adjusting it on the hub of the disk 104., A portion of the circumference'of each of the disks is cut away to alter the circumference of both pitches of the cam and the adjustment relative to the shaft 45to provide for the proper -timing under different conditions which might confront thev separating mechanism.

rfhe brace 95 mounted in the rocker frame 74 carries a roller 100 thai-extends over the face of both cam disks.

It should be stated. a' similar means to that just described is also-used for timing the forwarding roll ofthe conveying mech# anism that coperates with the separating means, and hereinafter more -fully explained. i

To provide for the proper and desiredaction of the separating means particularly the rolls 83, the pile of sheets is keptl in perpendicular alinement with the wiping or `receiving surface of the 'said separating rolls by means of a plate 101 pivotally suspended on the machine framing, as is best-shown in Figs. 1 and '4, by be noticed along reference to which it will the'top edge of the saidplate 101 are a series of rod-like uprightsl in thel sheet, as it passes from` the sepa-` rating rolls onto the conveying devices.

The 'separating members, the upper rolls 83 and the bottom rolls 86 .are each surfaced with some substance of great v4-frictional quality, preferably rubber.

The forwardly feedingset of rolls 83, being the upper set in my presentshowing, are surfacedv with a very'soft clinging rub'- ber, and located above the line ofthe plane of the top of the paper pile,- and said rolls r 83 vare continuously rotated, at a predetermined speed, in the direction (forwardly) so that the sheet or sheets pushed beneath it bythe initiators or feeders will be wiped or drawn from the pile, The upper rolls, as before mentioned, are carried by the rocking frame and are lifted at proper times by the cam devices before. referred to and. clearly shown'in Figs. 2O and 272 The other 4or lower4 set of rolls 86 are surfaced with a substance of -less frictional quality than that of the other rolls, and the said lower rolls -are located immediat'elybelow the top set of rolls in such manner that the -top surface of the said lower rolls is in a horizontal line with the normal top of the sheet pile.

' The lower set of vseparating rolls is in-I.

termittently rotated' ata' speed somewhat greater than that of the top rolls and-in the direction that the sheet or sheets pushed above it by the initiators would be driven back upon the pile see Fig. 30. The lower '-set ofrol-ls is secured by any suitable means `against rotation in the (opposite) lforward 'Clirection. The bottom rolls 86am intermittentlyrotated as stated, by the rise and fall of the toprolls 85 with therocker frame 74 that carries thebrace rod 95, on which is mounted the beveled clutch shifter 94 .that

engages thejyoke 93 and moves it against the tension of its spring 96and in conse- .quence connects` the clutch members hereinbefore referred to.' and puts into action the drive for rotating the lower set of rolls only` 'separating means described, I'have found '4 that the frictional contact between the top rolls and the sheet beneath it, is greater 204 than the friction of the bottom rolls against the sheet between the rolls; and that the friction ofthe bottom rolls and a sheet in Contact therewith is greater than the friction between that sheet and one in contact with it and between the rolls. Hence, when a number of sheets are pushed-between the rolls, the top rolls forward the top sheets in the direction of theirtravel, and the `the sheet with which they are in 'contact bttom rolls act successively upon the under sheetsaseach is exposed to their surface, and not alone retard the forward slide of the said 4under sheets but-return them in the direction of the rotation of the bottom rolls v'and in a direction reverse to the feed move-- ment of the uppermost sheet. Furthermore, the greater speedvof the bottom rolls takes care of any varying number of sheets in orderthat all, except the top one are sent back onto the pile before the initiators make their subsequent impulse, it being understood that the primary driving means that controls the actionof the entire mechanism of my automatic press moves continuously and the timing devices that coact therewith are such that the sheet separations are 'taken care of vnot alone for a delivery of a sheet to the impression cylinder at the 'preper time but also for a correct synchronous action with the pile elevating and conveving mechanisms that form a part of my complete construction of automatic high speed printing press.

It should be here mentioned the timing cams 99 and 104 ofthe top rolls mechanism are arranged to lift the top rolls' ofl'l the sheets between the rolls before the end of clearsi the sheet beneath it, else the top rolls would advance the contiguous under sheet out of time.

The operation of the pile elevating and the sheet separating means briefly stated is as follows: The initiators start any number Y of `sheets from the top of the pile of sheets;

the `top" rolls being still lifted and the botrolls, and the mechanism referred to awaits the action of the initiators for the subsequent operation. If only one sheet should be advanced and presented to the rolls byV the initiators, the frictional advantage of the top rolls insuresI the advance of the sheet, while the bottom rolls have nothing to do.

To render my improved printing press of a high eiiiciency, particularly as to speed and perfect successive feeding of the sheets from the pile, it isnecessary that the top of the pile of sheets must be kept at an approximately uniform height with the line of contact of the separating rolls. v

So far as I know ithas, been somewhat of a problem in different types of sheet separators'to provide the proper lift of the pile to accommodatie the widely varying thickness of material in commercial use.

To overcome the objections largely present inthe common types of separators now in use and to adapt my pile elevatingmeans for use in connection with the other elements -that go to make up my complete improved Ysheet feeding and separating devices hereinbefore described, I employ a special construction of sheet conveyer devices. These i devices are described and illustrated in detail in my copending application filed on even date with this application ASerial No. 747,276, and they'are illustrated in this application to that extent that their generic relation to the printing mechanism proper and the other interdependently coacting mechanisms be fully and operatively understood. Ii presses of the front delivery and rapidly operated cylinder ob printing kind, it is very essential that easy access may be had to the impression cylinder and other parts of the printing machine for the purpose of facilitating the rapid make ready and adjustments of the operating mechanism.

In printing presses of the general type be pulse of the feeding means actuated from the driving shaft. The bending back or buckling of the sheet, as stated, is -caused by the air pressure' against the front end of the forwardly progressing sheet. rI o overcome the objections before noted, I have provided a simple and effectively operating means for feeding the'sheets by successive steps, that is, under intermittent progress and -for eliminating the back lash on the sheet caused by the action of the4 air as stated. Again, in my f orm of sheet 'conveying means a peculiar constructionand arrangement of feed boards is provided that I may be quickly adjusted or movedv and held out of the way of access to the .cylinder without in the slightest disarranging the operative parts of the conveying or other mechanisms.

The conveying mechanism, about to-be described, 'is especially designed for coperating with the timing devices that regulate the different coactions of the otherl mechanism before described and in such manner that ,all 'the desired functions of a sheet con' veyer is accomplished with a lesser numl'or of parts than is usual in mechanisms of i like, class.

In my press mechanism the worklng principle is based on the fact that it is necessary to move the sheets only a little more than its own width at each performance of theA served machine, in order to serve the guides and grippers that form a coperative part' of the printing mechanism proper with another sheet on time.

In my conveying means is included a feed board 119 of a length between the guides and the separator equal to a multiple of the 420 widest sheet within the capacity of the separator, plus an addendum for the pausing of the mechanism, such pause being for th'e purpose of positioning the sheet against the guides. The side 'frames 105 of the feed board terminate at their front end in a housing consisting of the opposite bracket irons 106 in which are supported a front guide shaft 107, the end guides 108 the sheet supports 109 and the front tape roll 110 all of which will be presently more fully explained. The other or inner terminals of the side frames 105 carry brackets 111 each formed with a hollow sleeve 112 journaled in the machine framing, said sleeves forining as vit were, a hinge connection for the feed board 119, and the said sleeves also accommodate center pins'113 upon 'which the rear tape roll 114 revolves.

Referring now more particularly to Figs.

4 and 31 of the drawings it will be seen at a convenient point below the rear tape roll 114 is located a friction roll 115. Roll 115 is journaled at both ends into links 116 that are loosely fitted at one end on the driving shaft 117 of the conveyer. At the end in vinatteso proximity to the journals of the friction roll are a pair of levers 118that work in a clearance space in the framing and are pendently suspended from a pair of oppositely disposed levers 64 pivotally mounted on the machine frame to swing in the vertical plane.

vOn one end the drivingshaft 117,'adjacent t0 the link 116.has a Wide gear 97 that meshes with a pinion 122 on the frictional roll shaft for driving the latter continuously. The conveyer driving shaft 117 carries an adjustable cam 123 see Fig. 24' which has for its purpose to raise the pivoted levers 64 that carry the friction roll 115 for holding such roll inl contact with the tape roll 114 for a predetermined time, and vthen permit the said levers 64 to lower and thereby move the said roll 115 out of contact with said tape roll 114.. In my complete printing machine mechanism the conveyer shaft 117 receivesvits motion from the served machine through a sprocket130 in connection with an overflow clutch 131. This clutch, -see especially Fig. 32 has but one point (indicated by 132) v of engagement in order to preserve its timing with the'served machine,

such engagement comprising pin 120 pressedv tate the handling of the' sheets on the feed I board. On a brace` rod 133 between the levers 64 at a point'above the tape roll 114 are adjustably supported, in jointed connections 134, a plurality of gravity rolls 135 that are held to always rest in contact-with, -certain tapesof the said tapel roll 114, the

jointed connection of the said rolls 135 with the levers 64 permitting the rolls 135 to always gravitate against the said ta e roll.

136 designates the endless fee tapes of the conveyer whose front ends take oyer the front tape rolls 110, and the said tapes travel,l

close to the top surface of the feed board, as shown.

11o l v Upon brace rods 138 mounted in the bracket bearings on the front end of the feed board are a series of sheet supporters or fingers 109 and these are laterally adjustable to give them the desired 4distance apart. Conveniently above the said sheet supporters 109 is mounted a rock shaft 107 o n which a plurality of front guides 150 are-adjustably mounted by the collar and set screw connections 140, shown. Rock shaft 107 at one end has a lever lug 124 and the said shaft with its lug 124 is rocked to the normal position by the coiled spring connection 125. An oscillating movement is imparted t'o the 

